OUT OF THE
DARKNESS
Shining a light on suicide prevention and awareness
Words and Photography by Jill Ockhardt
A picture of Jennifer Weiler, who died of suicide in 2005, framed by the hands of her mother and sister.
M
other and daughter, Mary and Brenda Weiler are a true force in the battle to change the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide in the Fargo-Moorhead area. This September 13, Mary and Brenda are organizing the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) North Dakota Chapter’s tenth anniversary “Out of the Darkness Walk” in Fargo. The walk raises money for prevention and awareness of suicide and depression, and provides a venue for people to come together around these issues. “It’s an important community event to show those who are struggling that we support them and that there is no shame in depression,” said Brenda. “I’ve met people at the walk who have never spoken about their loss, even when it was over twenty years ago.” 48